5.1. Lincoln and Race http://www.ck12.org
5.1 Lincoln and Race
Abraham Lincoln is remembered as the President who emancipated the slaves, but he also made statements about
Blacks that are offensive to modern readers. Read the documents below and decideLincoln racist? Consider the
context in which each statement was made.
Lincoln-Douglas Debate –Stephen A. Douglas
Source: An excerpt from Stephen A. Douglas’s argument in the first Lincoln-Douglas debate at Ottawa, Illinois,
August 21, 1858.
Mr. Lincoln believes that the Negro was born his equal and yours, and that he was endowed with equality by the
Almighty, and that no human law can deprive him of these rights.
In 1858, Abraham Lincoln ran against Stephen A. Douglas for a seat in the U.S. Senate. The two engaged in a series
of seven public debates, which attracted national attention. Although Lincoln lost the election, he became widely
known for his views on slavery.
If you desire Negro citizenship, if you desire to allow them to come into the State and settle with the White man, if
you desire them to vote on an equality with yourselves, and to make them eligible to office, to serve on juries, and
to judge your rights, then support Mr. Lincoln and the Black Republican party, who are in favor of the citizenship of
the Negro. For one, I am opposed to Negro citizenship in any and every form. I believe this government was made...
by White men, for the benefit of White men and theirposterity forever...
Vocabulary
Posterity
future generationsQuestions:
- What are two things that Douglas warns will happen if Lincoln is elected?
- Based on this document, what do you think Douglas’s views were on African Americans?
Lincoln-Douglas Debate –Abraham Lincoln
Source: From Abraham Lincoln’s reply to Stephen A. Douglas at Ottawa, Illinois, August 21, 1858.
I have no purpose directly or indirectly to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I have
no purpose to introduce political and social equality between the white and black races. There is a physical difference
between the two, which in my judgment will probably forever forbid their living together in perfect equality, and...